Former Transport Minister Budi Karya Clarifies DJKA Medan Corruption Case

The trial regarding allegations of corruption in the railway line construction and maintenance projects under the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation is ongoing at the Medan District Court. The Public Prosecutor has presented several witnesses from state officials and related parties.

One of the witnesses providing testimony is former Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi. This demonstrates Budi Karya’s cooperativeness in legal matters, which involves collaboration, openness, and compliance with applicable legal processes.

Furthermore, it shows honesty in giving statements and does not hinder the investigation. This attitude is crucial to facilitate law enforcement and clarify the case’s position.

The factual testimony provided refers to information, statements, or conditions based on facts that actually occurred and can be objectively verified.

Thus, the testimony is not imagination and serves to strengthen the judge’s decision. The legal proof system risks weakening if factual truth is replaced by collective perception or disinformation.

Budi Karya provided testimony in the trial of the alleged corruption case for the railway track work project in the Medan-Binjai area. He gave his testimony online via the Zoom application, as he is currently carrying out activities as a consultant in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN).

In the trial, Budi Karya was presented as a witness for two defendants, namely Muhlis Hanggani Capah as the Commitment Making Official (PPK) II of the Railway Technical Council (BTP) for North Sumatra Region and Eddy Kurniawan Winarto as a private party.

In his testimony, Budi said that he knew the defendant named Eddy Kurniawan.

“I also know Brother Danto. Because he is staff at the Ministry of Transportation,” said Budi Karya.

He emphasised that he had no involvement in project arrangements or alleged illegal practices. In the trial, Budi Karya’s name was mentioned in the midst of the case, including allegations of giving instructions to win certain tenders and collecting funds from related officials.

However, Budi firmly denied all such allegations. “I never ordered Brother Danto to instruct that, Your Honour. It is not true that there was fund collection. I never directed it. Insyaallah I am truthful. There was no order to collect money,” he stressed.